A14: Accidents

Eurofighter Typhoon

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Government believe their application and interpretation of the Chicago convention is entirely compatible with their other international obligations. The convention is not used to shield from scrutiny acts that would be unlawful under the terms of other international conventions and, for example, does not prevent investigation of aircraft by the police, immigration or customs services, should this be considered necessary.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: If house prices had remained constant in real terms from the end of 2000–01 (ie, if they had risen in line with inflation), then it is estimated that the effects on inheritance tax yield and taxpayer numbers would be as shown in the tables below. The yield and taxpaying numbers for 2005–06 are those estimated at the time of the Pre-Budget Report.
	
		Inheritance Tax -- Option 1: House prices constant in real terms since 2000–01
		
			 PBR505 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
			 Yield (£m) 2,381 2,368 2,521 2,930 3,320 
			 Change in Yield (£m) 
			  2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05  
			 2005–06  
			 Option 1 -50 -200 -400 -600 -800 
			 PBR505 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
			 Taxpayer Numbers 22,500 25,000 30,500 34,000 34,500 
			 Change in Numbers 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
			 Option 1 -1,000 -3,000 -6,000 -10,000 -12,000

Road Traffic Accidents

Lord Bach: The building projects currently under way at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) at Weybridge are part of a long overdue site redevelopment programme, designed to bring the ageing facilities up-to-date so that VLA can continue to provide the statutory and emergency services that Defra requires.
	VLA has a number of specialised facilities for work on pathogens dangerous to man. Prior to the redevelopment these were mainly provided in temporary buildings, or in buildings old and unsuitable that could not be adequately maintained to meet the required safety standards. Furthermore, much of VLA's animal accommodation was many years old and unable to meet the current Home Office standards.
	None of the new facilities were available elsewhere within VLA's estate and, beyond the planned demolitions of those buildings vacated as a result of the redevelopment, no closures of existing facilities is planned.
	So far the redevelopment has provided:
	a new laboratory housing a centralised serology testing facility, which Defra requires VLA to maintain in case of an future outbreak of foot and mouth disease or other exotic animal disease; and ACDP containment levels 2 and 3 laboratories for research and diagnosis work on tuberculosis;
	new accommodation for farm livestock to house cattle, sheep, pigs and goats to support a wide range of research work; and
	a new "headquarters" building to house an emergency animal surgery, and pharmacy as well as the staff who manage VLA's animal services.